CN102309338A - Be used for the method and system that ultrasound data is handled - Google Patents

Abstract

Methods and systems for ultrasound data processing are provided. A method (60) includes acquiring (64) channel ultrasound data from a plurality of channels connected to a plurality of elements of an ultrasound probe, and storing (66) the channel ultrasound data from the plurality of channels. The method also includes generating (70) an ultrasound image based on the processing of the acquired channel ultrasound data, and displaying (70) the ultrasound image. The method also includes performing (72) additional processing on the stored channel ultrasound data while the ultrasound image is being displayed, and displaying (74) an updated ultrasound image generated by the additional processing.

Description

Method and system for ultrasound data processing

technical field

The subject matter disclosed herein relates generally to ultrasound systems, and more particularly, to systems and methods for processing received data in an ultrasound system to form images.

Background technique

Diagnostic medical imaging systems typically include a scanning portion and a control portion with a display. For example, ultrasound imaging systems typically include ultrasound scanning devices, such as ultrasound probes with transducers, connected to the ultrasound system to control the acquisition of ultrasound data by performing various ultrasound scans, such as imaging a volume or a body. Ultrasound probes typically include an array or matrix of transmit/receive elements that transmit ultrasonic waves and receive backscattered echo signals. The ultrasound system can be controlled to work in different modes of operation and to perform different scans. The received signal is then processed to form an image for display to a user.

In ultrasound systems, the processing power or effectiveness of the beamformer limits the beamforming techniques that can be used. In particular, some beamforming techniques can be complex or processor intensive. Thus, in some cases or applications, beamforming may take longer than acquisition time, making real-time viewing of beamformed data impossible. Also, while the beamformed data is being stored, the image may not be displayed due to processing limitations. Also, multiple scans are required if different beamforming techniques are to be used. These multiple scans are required because when ultrasound signals are acquired during a particular scan, a type of beamforming is performed which prevents subsequent beamforming from being performed on that acquired data.

Consequently, the image or volume frame rate and image quality of conventional ultrasound systems is limited by the beamformer processing power and efficiency of the beamforming technique used.

Contents of the invention

According to various embodiments, a method for forming an image from ultrasound data is provided. The method includes acquiring channel ultrasound data from a plurality of channels connected to a plurality of elements of an ultrasound probe, and storing the channel ultrasound data from the plurality of channels. The method also includes generating an ultrasound image based on the processing of the acquired channel ultrasound data, and displaying the ultrasound image. The method also includes performing additional processing on the stored channel ultrasound data while the ultrasound image is being displayed, and displaying an updated ultrasound image generated by the additional processing.

According to other various embodiments, a method for beamforming in an ultrasound system is provided. The method includes performing ultrasound beamforming during data acquisition according to real-time processing capabilities of the ultrasound system, and performing additional beamforming during image playback to increase image quality to an image quality level above real-time processing capabilities.

According to still other various embodiments, there is provided an ultrasound system, which includes: an ultrasound probe for collecting channel ultrasound data of an object of interest; and a memory for storing the channel ultrasound data collected by the ultrasound probe. The ultrasound system also includes: a display for displaying the ultrasound image; and a software beamformer configured to beamform the channel ultrasound data to form an image for display on the display, and to further transform the channel ultrasound data while the ultrasound image is being displayed. Beamforming is performed to form an updated image.

According to yet other various embodiments, a method for forming an image from ultrasound data is provided. The method includes acquiring channel ultrasound data from a plurality of channels connected to a plurality of elements of an ultrasound probe, and storing the channel ultrasound data from the plurality of channels. The method also includes forming a pixel image directly from the stored channel ultrasound data without creating beams, and displaying the pixel image. The method also includes performing additional processing on the acquired channel ultrasound data while the pixel image is being displayed, and displaying an updated ultrasound image formed by the additional processing.

Description of drawings

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a beamforming process performed in accordance with various embodiments.

Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating different images generated by a beamforming process according to various embodiments.

3 is a diagram illustrating images with improved image quality or resolution generated by beamforming according to various embodiments.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a method of ultrasound beamforming according to various embodiments.

5 is a simplified block diagram of an ultrasound system with a beamformer for performing beamforming, according to various embodiments.

Figure 6 is a block diagram of an ultrasound system in which various embodiments may be incorporated.

7 is a block diagram of an ultrasound processor module of the ultrasound system of FIG. 6 formed in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a miniaturized ultrasound system with three-dimensional (3D) capabilities in which various embodiments may be implemented.

Figure 9 is a diagram illustrating a handheld or pocket-sized ultrasound imaging system with 3D capabilities in which various embodiments may be implemented.

10 is a diagram illustrating a 3D-capable console-type ultrasound imaging system in which various embodiments may be implemented.

Detailed ways

The foregoing summary, together with the following detailed description of certain embodiments, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. To the extent that the figures show diagrams of the functional blocks of various embodiments, the functional blocks are not necessarily indicative of the division between hardware circuitry. Thus, for example, one or more of the functional blocks (eg processor or memory) may be implemented in a single piece of hardware (eg general purpose signal processor or random access memory block, hard disk etc.) or in a plurality of hardware. Similarly, a program can be a stand-alone program, combined as a subroutine in an operating system, a function in an installed software package, and so on. It should be understood that the various embodiments are not limited to the arrangements and instrumentalities shown in the drawings.

As used herein, an element or step recited in the singular and preceded by the word "a" should be understood as not excluding a plurality of said elements or steps, unless such exclusion is explicitly stated. Furthermore, references to "one embodiment" are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of other embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. Furthermore, an embodiment that "comprises" or "has" an element or elements with a particular property may include additional elements without that property unless expressly stated to the contrary.

Various embodiments provide systems and methods for ultrasound data processing such as beamforming, particularly receive beamforming to generate images. By implementing some embodiments, processing (eg, beamforming) is performed fully or partially during a live scanning mode, eg, during a scanning session that may also include image playback or image freeze. A technical effect of at least one embodiment is to provide improved image quality using processes such as beamforming (which may not otherwise be performed using an ultrasound system, depending on the processing power or performance of the system). Another technical effect of at least one embodiment includes using an ultrasound system with lower processing power or efficiency to perform higher frame rate ultrasound imaging with increased image quality.

According to various embodiments, a process 30 for forming images from ultrasound data is illustrated by the system workflow diagram of FIG. 1 . The process 30 can be implemented to generate or form ultrasound images using different types of channel data processing. It should be noted that although process 30 is described in conjunction with beamforming processing, process 30 and the embodiments described herein are not limited to beamforming processing, but may be implemented to form images using different processing techniques and methods, such as directly from channel data to form pixel images without creating beams. In general, various embodiments may process stored data to improve the quality of images to be displayed while lower quality images are being displayed. Accordingly, in various embodiments and as shown in some of the figures, when reference is made herein to beamforming, additional or different processing methods are contemplated and may operate in the same or similar manner, e.g., using the same or similar systems process to achieve.

It should be noted that the various embodiments described herein for generating or forming images may include processes for forming images that in some embodiments include beamforming and in other embodiments do not include beamforming. For example, an image may be formed without beamforming, eg by multiplying a matrix of demodulated data with a matrix of coefficients such that the product is an image, and wherein this process does not form any "beams". Additionally, the formation of the image can be performed using a combination of channels that can originate from more than one transmit event.

In various embodiments, the process of forming an image may include, for example, generating a generally linear combination of time-delayed and/or phase-shifted channel data for each desired image reconstruction point, where the channel data may originate from the same or different ultrasound shots event, and the time delay/phase shift is chosen to focus the image at or near the image reconstruction point. The set of image reconstruction points may also include scan lines (vectors), pixels of a display, or other suitable geometric shapes.

Process 30 generally includes storing channel ultrasound data (eg, raw channel data) for processing during image data acquisition with the ultrasound system and thereafter during use of one or more different beamforming techniques. It should be noted that when beamforming techniques are referred to herein, this generally refers to any type of receive beamforming that may be performed by an ultrasound system. Process 30 may also utilize software beamforming, hardware beamforming, or a combination thereof.

Process 30 illustrates one embodiment of the beamforming process workflow over time (shown during time period T ₁ to T ₅ ). Specifically, during a time period T ₁ , the ultrasound system transmits a beam (using a probe of the ultrasound system) at 32 to acquire ultrasound data (eg, channels or raw data) from a region of interest (ROI) of an object, such as a patient. The transmit beam is formed according to the desired or required image data to be acquired. For example, the transmit beams are formed using a transmit beamforming process according to a selected or predetermined (depending on the mode of operation) receive beamforming technique. Transmit beamforming may be any suitable type of transmit beamforming that allows acquisition of ultrasound image data, eg for generating certain types of ultrasound images.

Thereafter, channel ultrasound data is stored at 34 for a time period T ₂ . For example, ultrasound data from each of a plurality of channels 52 of the ultrasound system is stored in system memory 50 , as shown in FIG. 2 . Thus, channel ultrasound data is stored per channel 52 for each transmitted signal. For example, in a 128-channel ultrasound system, a set of 128 received signals is stored in memory 50 . Accordingly, this channel of ultrasound data is stored before any type of beamforming is performed on the received data. Accordingly, during time period _T2 , channel ultrasound data from the plurality of channels 52 is processed at 36, and in particular beamformed, to generate beamformed channel data. It should be noted that the processing at 36 in various embodiments is performed in parallel or concurrently with the reception and storage of channel ultrasound data. It should also be noted that acquisition and storage of channel ultrasound data in various embodiments continues during all part of process 30 .

The beamformer processing performed at 36 may be performed by hardware, software, or a combination thereof. For example, the channel ultrasound data is processed to generate an ultrasound image for display having a lower resolution or image quality, such as basic image quality. Thus, at time period T ₃ , an image is displayed at 38 with reduced or basic image quality. For example, a lower resolution live image is displayed, which is a representation of the current probe image acquisition. Accordingly, the processing at 36 is performed such that the ultrasound image is displayed in parallel with image data acquisition, enabling the user to view the image while the ultrasound scan is being performed. It should be noted that during time period _T3 , beamformed channel data, ie data that has been processed to generate a lower resolution image, may also be stored.

The channel data (or _optionally Additional beamforming is performed on the beamformed channel data) in order to improve image quality. For example, additional beamforming may be performed in order to generate higher resolution images. Accordingly, in some embodiments, basic or lower level beamforming, which may be part of more advanced or complex beamforming, is performed in real-time. Thus, images formed from basic beamforming are displayed in real time, while images formed from improved beamforming (e.g., advanced beamforming that produces a higher resolution image) are saved or stored such that, for example, during a freeze-frame operation, the image has been performed. Some or part of the improved beamforming.

It should be noted that additional beamforming in various embodiments is performed by a software beamformer, which may include different types of beamforming in order to enhance or improve the current displayed image or subsequent displayed images, as described in more detail herein. Thus, in some embodiments, the image quality or resolution is limited while the user is viewing (lower resolution) live images, playback images, and/or freeze-frame images, i.e., while ultrasound data is being acquired, for example, during a scanning session. rate can be improved.

It should be noted that when reference is made herein to improving image quality or resolution, this refers to any type of processing, such as beamforming processing, which alters or updates the displayed image, eg to facilitate review or analysis of the image. The improved quality image is then displayed at 42 for a time period T4. Image quality or resolution may be continuously improved such that the displayed image is periodically updated in accordance with additional beamforming processing performed (and represented by the plurality of arrows 44 in FIG. 1 ) during the live image capture mode of operation and/or the playback/freeze frame mode of operation. or continue updating. In addition, the image quality of the displayed images or cine-loops of images may be improved, for example during playback of the image sequence to the user. Thus, during image acquisition, a real-time processing frame rate is achieved (limited by the processing capabilities of the system), while during playback, the processed frame rate of the ultrasound system is increased above the real-time processing frame rate.

In various embodiments, additional beamforming may be terminated, e.g., by the user, after a predefined or predetermined period of time, when the processing capability of the ultrasound system is not fully utilized or falls below a predetermined level, or a combination thereof Executed in live scan mode. During this time period, the channel data or beamformed channel data is further processed to alter image quality or resolution, for example to improve image quality using one or more beamforming techniques which may include advanced beamforming techniques. For example, one or more (or combinations thereof) of the following processing or beamforming techniques may be performed: augmented multiline acquisition (MLA), adaptive beamforming, synthetic transmit focus, aberration correction, synthetic Aperture, clutter reduction and/or adaptive noise control.

Thereafter, during time period _T5 , the final beamformed image is displayed at 46, which may include the image in which the beamforming selected by the user at _T1 has been completed. Additionally, stored channel data may also be accessed in order to apply different beamforming techniques to that data. Accordingly, one or more images may be displayed at 48 with one or more different beamforming techniques applied thereto. The images formed by different beams can be displayed individually or simultaneously on the display. Different beamforming techniques may also be performed or applied to the rendered four-dimensional (4D) image and/or to one or more two-dimensional (2D) image slices or three-dimensional (3D) image volumes.

Thus, as shown in FIG. 2 , ultrasound data stored in memory 50 , which may be channel data or processed channel data, is utilized for generating one or more ultrasound images for display. For example, a base quality image 54 may be displayed in real time or during a live scan mode (while acquiring ultrasound data) that has a lower image quality or resolution than an intermediate or final displayed image. Additionally, one or more improved quality images 56 may be formed, such as during a freeze frame mode of operation while the user is viewing a particular image, for example, during freeze mode additional beamforming or other processing of the ultrasound data may be performed to generate images with improved beamformation. An image (such as an improved quality image) can be stored for later viewing, such as after the freeze frame mode is terminated or ended. Additional improved quality images 58 may also be displayed after acquisition, for example after termination of the live scan mode. Image 58 may be a final processed image according to the selected beamforming used to generate images 54 and/or 56, such as a final beamforming image, or may be the result of a different processing or beamforming technique after acquisition using channel ultrasound data. The resulting image.

Thus, in operation, as shown in FIG. 3 , a base quality image 54 may initially be displayed wherein the user is able to determine, for example, the orientation of an object and identify larger landmarks, but at a lower resolution so that detailed features of the object may not be clear. It should be noted that the illustrated base quality image 54 is a single image from a cine loop that can be displayed to the user. The image quality or resolution is then improved, which can be an incremental improvement such that a newer image is displayed. For example, improved quality image 56a is partially improved or partially improved and generated after processing a portion of additional frames of image data, thereby defining an updated image. Improved quality image 56a may have a portion of the image (eg, half of the image) having a higher image quality or resolution. Thus, as more frames of ultrasound data are processed, the displayed image quality or resolution improves. Accordingly, as shown in the improved quality image 56b, which may be the final image, the quality or resolution of the image is improved such that detailed features of the object are more clearly defined.

According to various embodiments, the method 60 for ultrasound beamforming shown in FIG. 4 may be performed. Method 60 generally improves image quality or resolution during a scan mode or scan session, such as during image playback or image freeze mode. Specifically, at 62 a selected beamforming technique (eg, a beamforming method) is determined. For example, the particular beamforming selected by the user to be performed on the acquired ultrasound data is determined based on user input or mode of operation.

Thereafter, an ultrasound beam is transmitted at 62 according to the selected beamforming technique. For example, transmit beamforming is performed according to a selected beamforming technique in order to acquire ultrasound data, such as ultrasound image data of an object of interest. At 66, the received ultrasound data is saved as channel ultrasound data prior to performing receive beamforming. Then at 68, the stored channel ultrasound data is processed, for example, to beamform the stored channel ultrasound data. It should be noted that in various embodiments, channel ultrasound data continues to be stored in long-term memory while beamforming processing is performed on channel ultrasound data that is copied to temporary or short-term memory. It should also be noted that the beamforming performed here, ie in real-time during live scan mode, provides images with lower resolution at higher volume rates, which may include lower line densities.

Then at 70, the beamformed channel data is used for generating and displaying an ultrasound image with a substantial image quality (eg, lower linear density). Therefore, the base image has lower image quality or resolution. Channel data is also stored such that the quality or resolution of the displayed image is improved at 72 during image playback or freeze frame, as described in more detail herein. Specifically, additional beamforming is performed on the channel data using the selected beamforming technique that is performed in part to generate an image with a base image quality. For example, during a displayed cine loop of an image (e.g., a repeating cine loop of an image), e.g., by processing more frames of beamforming channel data to produce a frame with an increased number of receive lines or otherwise improve image characteristics or quality image, to improve the quality or resolution of the image.

The improved quality image is then displayed at 74 . For example, as described in more detail herein, the quality or resolution of an image may be incrementally or continuously increased during repeated loops of a cine loop of images. Additionally, different types of beamforming can be performed on, for example, stored channel ultrasound data (which was previously beamformed), and also displayed 76, which can be displayed separately from the improved quality image or simultaneously.

Thus, beamforming is performed during live scan mode, playback mode, freeze frame mode and/or after image acquisition. For example, during playback mode, beamforming is performed in background operation such that real-time background beamforming processing is provided.

In operation, and eg in MLA acquisition, a single ultrasound beam is transmitted, with multiple beams corresponding to each transmitted beam being received. In 4D imaging applications, higher frame rates are used for eg 16MLA and 32MLA imaging. Ultrasound systems using various embodiments may have the processing capability to generate 8 MLAs, but with beamforming of various embodiments, images of 16 MLAs or 32 MLAs may be generated. For example, in a 32MLA imaging application, various embodiments may perform 16MLA processing during the live scan mode and 16MLA processing during the playback phase. Accordingly, approximately equal amounts of processing time are used to generate the higher resolution 32MLA images during live scan mode and playback mode. It should be noted that the stored channel ultrasound data (which is pre-beamformed) may also be beamformed using a different technique, such as adaptive beamforming, for example performed by software beamforming.

As an example, various embodiments allow the entire heart volume to be acquired in one heartbeat and then freeze framed and displayed with improved or best achievable image quality on an ultrasound system or scanner with reduced or limited computing or processing power/resources (post-freeze adisplay). Various embodiments also allow different beamforming techniques (eg, tissue and B-flow) to be applied to the same set of ultrasound data without repeating scans. It should be noted that various embodiments are not limited to post-freeze beamforming, but may also be implemented in conjunction with post-freeze vector processing and image processing. For example, advanced vector processing, such as frequency compounding, uses doubling of computational or processing resources, which is not available in real time but is applicable in freeze frame.

Various embodiments may be implemented using the ultrasound imaging system 100 shown in FIGS. 5-7 . In particular, FIG. 5 is a simplified block diagram illustrating an ultrasound system 100 including a software beamformer architecture. The ultrasound system 100 is configured to acquire ultrasound data using a probe 106, wherein transmission and reception of ultrasound signals is provided by a front end 101, which, as shown, does not include a hardware-implemented receive beamformer. It should be noted, however, that a hardware-implemented receive beamformer may optionally be provided in order to perform some beamforming, as described in more detail herein. The front end 101 generally includes a transmitter/receiver, which may be implemented by, for example, an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) or a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA). The front-end 101 is connected to the back-end 103 via a plurality of data channels that pass channel ultrasound data from the front-end 101 to the back-end 103 . Backend 103 typically includes a software implemented beamformer and IQ/RF processor, described in more detail below. These processing functions may be performed by a central processing unit (CPU), a general processing unit (GPU), or any type of programmable processor.

FIG. 6 shows a more detailed block diagram of the ultrasound system 100 . The ultrasound system 100 is capable of electrically or mechanically steering the acoustic beam (e.g., in 3D space) and can be configured to acquire multiple regions of interest (ROIs) in a subject or patient that can be defined or adjusted as detailed herein. information corresponding to a 2D representation or image. Ultrasound system 100 may be configured to acquire, for example, 2D images in one or more orientation planes. The ultrasound system 100 is also capable of performing background real-time beamforming in order to increase the beamforming capabilities of the ultrasound system 100 .

The ultrasound system 100 includes a transmitter 102 that drives an array of elements 104 (eg, piezoelectric elements) in a probe 106 under the direction of a beamformer 110 to transmit pulsed ultrasound signals into the body. Various geometries can be used. Ultrasound signals are backscattered from structures within the body, such as blood cells or muscle tissue, to generate echoes that return to element 104 . The echoes are received by receiver 108 . The received echoes are stored in memory 105 as channel ultrasound data and passed to software beamformer 110, which performs receive beamforming as described in detail herein and outputs an RF signal. It should be noted that the beamformer 110 is configured to perform basic beamforming as described herein, and an advanced beamformer 111 is also provided in order to perform advanced beamforming as described herein. The beamformers 110 and 111 can be realized by the same software, for example. Beamformed ultrasound data (also referred to as beamforming data) may also be stored in memory 105 or memory 122 . The RF signal then passes through the RF processor 112 . Alternatively, RF processor 112 may include a complex demodulator (not shown) that demodulates the RF signal to form IQ data pairs representative of the echo signal. RF or IQ signal data may then be routed directly to memory 114 for storage. In some embodiments, a hardware receive beamformer may be provided in the front end 101 .

In the embodiments described above, the beamformer 110 operates as a receive beamformer. A transmit beamformer (not shown) is also provided. In an alternative embodiment, the probe 106 optionally includes a 2D array with sub-aperture receive beamforming inside the probe. The beamformer 110 may delay, apodize, and sum each electrical signal with other electrical signals received from the probe 106 . The summed signal represents the echo from the ultrasound beam or wire. The summed signal is output from the beamformer 110 to the RF processor 112 . The RF processor 112 can generate different data types for multiple scan planes or different scan modes, such as B-mode, color Doppler (velocity/power/variance), tissue Doppler (velocity), and Doppler energy. For example, RF processor 112 may generate tissue Doppler data for multiple scan planes. The RF processor 112 collects information (e.g., I/Q, B-mode, color Doppler, tissue Doppler, and Doppler energy information) associated with multiple data slices and sends the data information (which may include time-stamped and orientation/rotation information) are stored in memory 114.

The ultrasound system 100 also includes a processor 116 for processing acquired ultrasound information (e.g., RF signal data or IQ data pairs) and preparing frames of ultrasound information for display on a display 118 with the improved image quality or resolution. The processor 116 is adapted to perform one or more processing operations in accordance with a plurality of selectable ultrasound modalities on the acquired ultrasound data. Acquired ultrasound data may be processed and displayed in real-time during a scanning session as echo signals are received, which may include real-time imaging by beamforming as described herein implementing one or more of the various embodiments described herein. Image quality or resolution is improved during a live scan mode or playback mode controlled by the process controller module 130 . Additionally or alternatively, ultrasound data may be temporarily stored in memory 114 during a scanning session and then processed and displayed in offline operation.

Processor 116 is connected to user interface 124 (which may include a mouse, keyboard, etc.), which controls the operation of the processor, as described in more detail below. Display 118 includes one or more monitors that present patient information, including diagnostic ultrasound images, to a user for diagnosis and analysis. One or both of memory 114 and memory 122 may store two-dimensional (2D) or three-dimensional (3D) datasets of ultrasound data, where such 2D and 3D datasets are accessed to render 2D (and/or 3D images), which Can be in different states of beamforming. The images can be modified and the display settings of the display 118 can also be adjusted manually using the user interface 124 .

The real-time processing controller module 130 coupled to the processor 116 may be software running on the processor 116 or hardware provided as part of the processor 116 . The real-time processing controller module 130 controls software beamforming, as described in more detail herein.

It should be noted that although various embodiments may be described in connection with an ultrasound system, the method and system are not limited to ultrasound imaging or a particular configuration thereof. Various embodiments may be implemented in conjunction with different types of imaging systems, including, for example, multimodal imaging systems with ultrasound imaging systems as well as x-ray imaging systems, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems, computed tomography (CT) imaging systems, positron One of the emission tomography (PET) imaging systems, etc. Furthermore, various embodiments may be implemented in non-medical imaging systems, eg non-destructive testing systems such as ultrasonic weld testing systems or airport baggage scanning systems.

FIG. 7 shows an exemplary block diagram of an ultrasound processor module 136, which may be embodied as processor 116 of FIG. 6 or a portion thereof. The ultrasound processor module 136 is conceptually shown as a collection of sub-modules, but may be implemented using any combination of dedicated hardware boards, DSPs, processors, and the like. Alternatively, the sub-modules of Figure 10 may be implemented using an off-the-shelf PC having a single processor or multiple processors with functional operations distributed among the processors. As another option, the sub-modules of Figure 7 may be implemented in a hybrid configuration, where some of the modular functions are performed using dedicated hardware, while the rest are performed using off-the-shelf PCs or the like. A sub-module may also be implemented as a software module in a processing unit.

Operation of the sub-modules shown in FIG. 7 may be controlled by the local ultrasound controller 150 or by the processor module 136 . Submodules 152-164 perform intermediate processor operations. Ultrasound processor module 136 may receive ultrasound data 170 in one of several forms. In the embodiment of FIG. 6, the received ultrasound data 170 consists of I,Q data pairs representing the real and imaginary parts associated with each data sample. The I, Q data pairs are provided to one of the color flow sub-module 152, the power Doppler sub-module 154, the B mode sub-module 156, the spectral Doppler sub-module (spectralDopolar sub-module) 158 and the M mode sub-module 160 or more. Other sub-modules may optionally be included, such as an Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse (ARFI) sub-module 162 and a Tissue Doppler (TDE) sub-module 164 , among others.

Each of the submodules 152-164 is configured to process I, Q data pairs in a corresponding manner to generate color flow data 172, power Doppler data 174, B-mode data 176, spectral Doppler data 178, M-mode data 180, ARFI data 182 and tissue Doppler data 184, all of which may be temporarily stored in memory 190 (or memory 114 or memory 122 shown in Figure 5) prior to subsequent processing. For example, B-mode sub-module 156 may generate B-mode data 176 that includes multiple B-mode image planes (eg, in biplanar or triplanar image acquisition), as described in greater detail herein.

Data 172-184 may be stored, for example, as sets of vector data values, where each set defines a separate ultrasound image frame. Vector data values are generally organized according to the polar coordinate system.

The scan converter sub-module 192 accesses the memory 190 and obtains therefrom the vector data values associated with the image frames, and converts the set of vector data values into Cartesian coordinates to generate ultrzzno, image rare 194, and ultrasound image frames 195 formatted for display .

Ultrasound image frames 195 generated by scan converter module 192 may be provided back to memory 190 for subsequent processing, or may be provided to memory 114 or memory 122 .

Once the scan converter sub-module 192 generates an ultrasound image frame 195 associated with, for example, B-mode image data, etc., the image frame may be re-stored in memory 190 or communicated via bus 196 to a database (not shown), memory 114, memory 122 and/or other processors.

The scan-converted data can be converted to X, Y format for video display in order to generate ultrasound image frames. The scan-converted ultrasound image frames are provided to a display controller (not shown), which may include a video processor that maps the video to a grayscale map for video display. A gray-scale map can represent the transfer function of the channel image data to the displayed gray level. Once the video data is mapped to grayscale values, the display controller controls display 118 (shown in FIG. 6 ), which may include one or more monitors or display windows for displaying image frames. The images displayed in the display 118 are generated from image frames of data, each of which indicates the intensity or brightness of a corresponding pixel in the display.

Referring again to FIG. 7, the 2D video processor sub-module 194 combines one or more of the frames generated from different types of ultrasound information. For example, the 2D video processor sub-module 194 may combine different image frames by mapping one type of data to a grayscale image and another type of data to a color image for video display. In the final displayed image, the color pixel data may be superimposed on the grayscale pixel data to form a single multimodal image frame 198 (eg, a functional image), which again may be re-stored in memory 190 or communicated via bus 196 . Successive frames of images may be stored as cine loops in memory 190 or memory 122 (shown in FIG. 6 ). A cine ring represents a first-in-first-out circular image buffer that captures image data for display to the user. A user may freeze the movie loop by entering a freeze command at the user interface 124 . User interface 124 may include, for example, a keyboard and mouse and all other input controls associated with entering information into ultrasound system 100 (shown in FIG. 6 ).

The 3D processor sub-module 200 is also controlled by the user interface 124 and accesses the memory 190 in order to obtain 3D ultrasound image data and generate a three-dimensional image, eg by known volume rendering or surface rendering algorithms. Three-dimensional images can be generated using various imaging techniques, such as ray-casting, maximum intensity pixel projection, and the like.

The ultrasound system 100 of FIG. 6 may be included in small systems, such as laptop computers or pocket-sized systems, as well as in larger console-type systems. Figures 8 and 9 show a small system, while Figure 10 shows a larger system.

FIG. 8 shows a 3D capable miniaturized ultrasound system 300 with a probe 332 configurable to acquire 3D ultrasound data or multi-planar ultrasound data. For example, probe 332 may have a 2D array of elements 104 as previously described for probe 106 of FIG. 6 . A user interface 334 (which may also include an integrated display 336) is provided for receiving commands from an operator. As used herein, "miniature" means that the ultrasound system 330 is a handheld or handheld device, or is configured to be carried in a human hand, pocket, briefcase-sized case, or backpack. For example, ultrasound system 330 may be a handheld device the size of a typical laptop computer. Ultrasound system 330 is easily portable by the operator. An integrated display 336 (eg, an internal display) is configured to display, for example, one or more medical images.

Figure 9 shows a handheld or pocket-sized ultrasound imaging system 350 in which a display 352 and a user interface 354 form a single unit. By way of example, the pocket ultrasound imaging system 350 may be a pocket or palm sized ultrasound system approximately 2 inches wide, approximately 4 inches long, and approximately 0.5 inches thick, weighing less than 3 ounces. Pocket ultrasound imaging system 350 generally includes a display 352, a user interface 354, which may or may not include a keyboard-type interface, and input/output (I/O) ports for connection to a scanning device, such as an ultrasound probe 356 . Display 352 may be, for example, a 320x320 pixel color LCD display on which medical images 390 may be displayed. A typewriter-style keyboard 380 of buttons 382 may optionally be included in the user interface 354 .

Figure 9 shows a handheld or pocket-sized ultrasound imaging system 350 in which a display 352 and a user interface 354 form a single unit. By way of example, the pocket ultrasound imaging system 350 may be a pocket or palm sized ultrasound system approximately 2 inches wide, approximately 4 inches long, and approximately 0.5 inches thick, weighing less than 3 ounces. Pocket ultrasound imaging system 350 generally includes a display 352, a user interface 354, which may or may not include a keyboard-type interface, and input/output (I/O) ports for connection to a scanning device, such as an ultrasound probe 356 . The display 352 may be, for example, a 320x320 pixel color LCD display on which the medical image 190 may be displayed. A typewriter-style keyboard 380 of buttons 382 may optionally be included in the user interface 354 .

Functions may be assigned to the multi-function controls 384 respectively according to the system operating mode (eg, displaying different views). Accordingly, each of the multifunction controls 384 may be configured to provide a number of different actions. A label display area 386 associated with multifunction control 384 may be included on display 352 as desired. System 350 may also have additional keys and/or controls 388 for special functions, which may include, but are not limited to, "Freeze Frame," "Depth Control," "Gain Control," "Color Mode," "Print," and "Store" .

One or more of the label display areas 386 may include a label 392 to indicate the view being displayed, or to allow the user to select a different view of the imaged object to be displayed. Selection of different views may also be provided through an associated multi-function control 384 . The display 352 may also have a text display area 394 for displaying information related to the displayed image view (eg, tags associated with the displayed image).

It should be noted that various embodiments may be implemented in conjunction with miniaturized or downsized ultrasound systems having different sizes, weights and power consumption. For example, pocket ultrasound imaging system 350 and miniaturized ultrasound system 300 may provide the same scanning and processing functionality as system 100 (shown in FIG. 6 ).

FIG. 10 shows an ultrasound imaging system 400 disposed on a movable base 402 . Portable ultrasound imaging system 400 may also be referred to as a cart-based system. A display 404 and a user interface 406 are provided, and it is understood that the display 404 may be separate or detachable from the user interface 406 . User interface 406 may optionally be a touch screen, allowing an operator to select options by touching displayed graphics, icons, or the like.

User interface 406 also includes control buttons 408 that may be used to control portable ultrasound imaging system 400 as desired or needed and/or as commonly provided. The user interface 406 provides a number of interface options that the user can physically manipulate to interact with the displayable ultrasound and other data, as well as enter information and set and change scanning parameters and viewing angles, among others. For example, a keyboard 410, a trackball 412, and/or a multifunction control 414 may be provided.

It should be noted that various embodiments may be realized by hardware, software or a combination thereof. Various embodiments and/or components such as modules or components therein and controllers may also be implemented as part of one or more computers or processors. Various embodiments and/or components may be implemented in different orders or arrangements. A computer or processor may comprise computing means, input means, a display unit and an interface eg for accessing the Internet. A computer or processor may include a microprocessor. A microprocessor is connectable to the communication bus. A computer or processor may also include memory. The memory may include random access memory (RAM) and read only memory (ROM). A computer or processor may also include a storage device, which may be a hard drive or a removable storage device such as a floppy disk drive, an optical disk drive, or the like. The storage device may also be other similar means for loading computer programs or other instructions into a computer or processor.

As used herein, the term "computer" or "module" may include any processor-based or microprocessor-based system, including the use of microcontrollers, reduced instruction set computers (RISC), ASICs, logic circuits, and any other circuit or processor system that performs the functions described above. The above examples are exemplary only, and thus are not intended to limit in any way the definition and/or meaning of the term "computer".

A computer or processor executes a set of instructions stored in one or more memory elements in order to process input data. A storage element may also store data or other information as desired or needed. The storage element may take the form of an information source or a physical memory element in the processing machine.

The instruction set may include various commands that instruct a computer or processor as a processing machine to perform specific operations such as the methods and procedures of various embodiments of the present invention. An instruction set may take the form of a software program. The software may take various forms, such as system software or application software, and may be embodied as a tangible and non-transitory computer readable medium. Furthermore, software may take the form of a separate program or collection of modules, a program module within a larger program, or a portion of a program module. Software may also include modular programming in the form of object-oriented programming. Processing of input data by a processing machine may be in response to an operator command or in response to the results of previous processing or in response to a request made by another processing machine.

As used herein, the terms "software" and "firmware" are interchangeable and include any computer program stored in memory for execution by a computer, where memory includes RAM memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, and non-volatile RAM (NVRAM) memory. The memory types described above are exemplary only, and thus are not limiting to the types of memory that can be used to store computer programs.

It should be understood that the above description is only illustrative and not restrictive. For example, the above-described embodiments (and/or aspects thereof) may be used in combination with each other. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the various embodiments without departing from the scope thereof. While the dimensions and types of materials described herein are intended to define the parameters of the various embodiments, these embodiments are by no means limiting, but merely exemplary. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from reading the above description. The scope of various embodiments should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full range of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. In the appended claims, the terms "comprising" and "in which" are used as the plain language equivalents of the respective terms "comprising" and "wherein". Furthermore, in the following claims, the terms "first", "second" and "third", etc. are used only as labels and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects. Furthermore, the following claim limitations are not written in a parts-plus-function format, and are not intended to be construed under Section VI of 35 U.S.C. §112, unless and only if such claim limitations expressly use the words "for Parts of ..." plus a functional statement and no other constructs are to be interpreted in this way.

This written description uses examples to disclose various embodiments, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the various embodiments, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of various embodiments is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if the examples include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims. within the range.

parts list

Claims (10)

CLAIMS 1. A method (60) for forming an image from ultrasound data, the method comprising: acquiring (64) channels of ultrasound data from a plurality of channels connected to a plurality of elements of the ultrasound probe; storing (66) said channel ultrasound data from said plurality of channels; generating (70) an ultrasound image based on the processing of the acquired channel ultrasound data; displaying (70) said ultrasound image; performing (72) additional processing on the stored channel ultrasound data while the ultrasound image is being displayed; and The updated ultrasound image generated by the additional processing is displayed (74). 2. The method (60) of claim 1, wherein the ultrasound image comprises an image of substantial image quality. 3. The method (60) of claim 1, wherein the updated ultrasound image comprises an image with increased image quality or resolution. 4. The method (60) of claim 1, further comprising displaying (74) incrementally updated ultrasound images based on additional processing (72) performed on additional image frames of the channel ultrasound data. 5. The method (60) of claim 1, further comprising performing said processing (70) during a live scan mode and performing said additional processing (72) during a playback mode of operation. 6. The method (60) of claim 1, further comprising performing (72) a different type of processing on the stored channel ultrasound data. 7. The method (60) of claim 1, wherein the additional processing (72) is performed during display of a cinematic image. 8. The method (60) of claim 1, wherein the processing (70) includes beamforming (68), and the additional processing (72) includes advanced beamforming techniques. 9. An ultrasound system (100) comprising: Ultrasound probe (106), used for collecting channel ultrasound data of an object of interest; a memory (105), configured to store the channel ultrasound data collected by the ultrasound probe; a display (118) for displaying ultrasound images; and a processor (116, 130) configured to process the channel ultrasound data to form an image for display on the display and to further process the channel ultrasound data while the ultrasound image is being displayed to form an updated image. 10. The ultrasound system (100) of claim 9, wherein the updated image comprises an improved resolution image for display.

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